There are two bull issues in Catalonia. The (in)famous bull fights where the matador eventually kills or is killed – the former option much more frequently seen than the latter – are fortunately on their way out here, although still common in Spain. The other bull “sport” is the one carried out in the south of Catalonia, in an area around the river Ebro known as the Terres de l’Ebre. This one involves a smaller, and much less dangerous, bull, or, more often, a cow. There are various “games” to be played; chasing them up and down the street, and being chased; fastening a rope around their horns before playing tug-of-war with them; draping flaming oil-soaked cloths around their horns before setting them loose around the village at night; setting up a makeshift bullring and running around with them, jumping over them, provoking them etc.

Personally I share the view of animal-welfare groups that, even though the animal does not die, this is a cruel tradition which should be abolished. Well, surprisingly, today’s news was that nearly every major political party in Catalonia had voted to regulate and support this tradition – with only the Greens against it! Presumably this is because these “corre-bous” are very popular, and vote-winners, here in the Terres de l’Ebre. It never fails to amaze me what politicians will do for a handful of votes!

Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson did not understand the world around them either, in Lost In Translation, which brings us neatly, and none too subtly, on to today’s soundtrack. Bill Murray singing the Roxy Music track, More Than This (Ferry) in a karaoke bar. Excellent film, acting, direction, photography, music, by the way!

Also including another video with clips from the film and 10,000 Maniacs' version of the same song.